A BRAVE Burgh le Marsh woman who had to learn to walk again after a horrific car crash has thrown her support behind a new road safety campaign.

Carolyn Smith, 22, suffered serious injuries in April 2009 when the car she was a passenger in was involved in a crash.

But after battling back from months of physiotherapy, post traumatic stress and depression, she has thrown her support behind a road safety campaign aimed at making young drivers think of the human consequences when they get behind the wheel.

The driver of the car in which Carolyn was injured was a young driver.

And she has backed road safety charity Brake’s new calls for government action in tackling the high number of accidents involving young motorists.

Carolyn said: “Crashes have a devastating domino effect on lives.

“I will need a walking stick for the rest of my life, but I’m not the only one who has to deal with my injuries or the pain I am in every day physically and mentally - it affects everyone who cares about me.

“I know I’m lucky to be here and lucky to be walking.

“There are too many people who are not as lucky as me.

“All I can hope is that my nightmare can be turned into something good and make people think about the consequences of risky driving.

“I’m urging all drivers to have a heart and make a commitment to driving slowly and safely.”

A new Brake survey revealed that six in 10 young people fear for their lives at times when they are a passenger with a young driver.

A similar number have been endangered by peers speeding or drink-driving.

Brake has called for the introduction of a minimum learning to drive period and restrictions for novice drivers.

Brake’s campaigns director, Julie Townsend, said: “Every day, more families face the unbearable news that a loved one has been killed suddenly and violently, or suffered a horrific injury, in young driver crashes.”

Meanwhile, Carolyn is set to hold a fundraising quiz night and raffle in aid of Brake this Friday (November 25).

The quiz will be held in The Bell Hotel in the High Street, Burgh le Marsh at 7pm.